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Decapitated animal found in Cape Coral canal

Posted: 10:54 PM, Jun 20, 2018

Updated:2018-06-21 02:54:37Z

By:
Michael Cadigan

CAPE CORAL, Fla. - A Lee county man discovered a decapitated animal floating in a body of water on his way to work Wednesday morning. He quickly informed police and city officials in order to have the carcass removed.

The man found the headless carcass near Chiquita Blvd and Wilmington Parkway

Cape Coral Police has seen similar cases to what the man discovered. A department spokesperson said that it could've wound up there in a number of different ways.

"We have natural predators in the Cape. We have alligators and coyotes," Corporal Phil Mullen told 4 In Your Corner. "You'll see animal carcasses like chickens or goats in water," he added.

Mullen also said that it could've also been apart of a religious ritual known as Santeria.

"We do see it from time to time," Mullen added.

Mullen said if it was Santeria the person or people could only be charged with violating a city ordinance against dumping.

"You know as much as people hate to see animals killed or suffering, most of the time it is going be covered by religious freedom rights," Mullen said. "It can be an ordinance violation for dumping an animal where we can all see and smell it," he added.

Cape Police hopes that those that practice Santeria dispose of the animals in a different way.

The department advises people who might stumble on to a sight similar to this case make a few phone calls in order to have the carcass removed.

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